Charleston County Sheriff Candidate Denied Spot on 2024 Democratic Primary Ballot

The battle for the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office seat took a dramatic turn as hopeful candidate Alan Ali was dealt a blow in his quest to be on the 2024 Democratic primary ballot.

In a recent court ruling, the state Democratic Party unanimously recommended against allowing Ali to participate in the primary, citing a party rule regarding support of the Democratic Party. Despite Ali’s lawsuit against the party, the court upheld the decision, stating that political parties have the right to decide which candidates to certify for their primary.

In response to the ruling, Ali expressed his disappointment, accusing the Democratic Party of protecting incumbents and denying voters a choice at the ballot. His attorney, Mark Peper, hinted at a possible appeal to the South Carolina Supreme Court, but acknowledged the tight timeline leading up to the primary.

South Carolina Democratic Chair Christale Spain defended the party’s decision, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that candidates running as Democrats are genuine members of the party. Charleston County Democratic Party Chair Sam Skardon echoed this sentiment, pointing to Ali’s own words and actions as the basis for the party’s decision.

As the dust settles on this legal battle, the future of the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office remains uncertain. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.